Mark Springer, renowned for his groundbreaking work with post-punk pioneers Rip Rig and Panic, returns with an ambitious new project, Sleep of Reason, released April 25, 2025, through Sub Rosa in collaboration with The Exit Label. The album sees Springer joined by none other than Neil Tennant of the iconic Pet Shop Boys and the acclaimed Sacconi String Quartet for a sprawling double vinyl and CD release that boldly bridges classical composition and art-pop sensibilities.
Sleep of Reason is inspired by the dark, dreamlike imagery of Spanish master Francisco Goya’s etchings, exploring the “monsters” that lurk both in history and in today’s digital, divided culture. The album unfolds in three major works: a solo piano piece, a string quartet, and a quintet for voice and strings. Each piece, composed by Springer, captures different facets of emotional and societal unrest, drawing a chilling parallel between Goya’s time and the 21st century.
The opening track, “Phantoms and Monsters,” was released digitally on March 14, offering a first glimpse into the album’s moody and powerful world. This lead single sets the tone with its raw, cinematic tension, hinting at the expansive soundscapes listeners can expect throughout the record. The full album captures an intricate dance of shadow and light, with the Sacconi String Quartet adding stirring textures and Tennant’s unmistakable voice providing a sharp lyrical focus on the quintet pieces.
“Each track is like a map of fractured unity,” Springer explains. “I wanted to create three interconnected but distinct musical movements, full of risk, spontaneity, and lyrical beauty. Neil’s evocative vocals were the final key, bringing a poetic sharpness that threads the entire project together.”
Alongside his lauded piano performances and orchestral compositions, Mark Springer’s career spans operatic scores, chamber music, and film soundtracks. His collaboration with Neil Tennant marks a unique convergence of experimental classical and alternative pop worlds, resulting in a record that feels both historically grounded and urgently contemporary.
Pre-orders for Sleep of Reason began on March 7 via Bandcamp, and the album is now available on all digital platforms, as well as special edition double vinyl and CD formats.
Sleep of Reason is not just an album; it’s a profound reflection on the cultural “devilments” of our age, channelled through the hands of two of the most innovative artists of their respective genres.
